Pay rise for councillors - and more signalled

Auckland councillors are getting a pay rise but the Remuneration Authority suggests they should be paid even more.

The salary of Auckland Mayor Len Brown is rising by $6000 to $265,500, while councillors' pay is increasing to $104,250.

The mayor's salary rises to $256,500 as part of the average increase of 2.3 percent. Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

The Remuneration Authority said the annual increase of 2.3 percent was in line with mid-level positions in the public sector but below what it considered appropriate.

However it said more would be unfair on ratepayers.

It said this year's pay rise would have to have been at least 20 percent to keep in step with public sector pay for similarly skilled positions.

The authority will conduct a job-sizing review of Auckland councillors before next year's elections.

Larger rises of between 3.4 percent and 6 percent have gone to the members of the 21 second-tier Local Boards. The chair of the largest board, Howick, receives $93,990, and a board member's pay will be $42,880.